Fighting a ticket for not having apportioned plates in PA?

we got ticketed for not having apportioned plates. The fine is 1625.50. We are registered for 34k and were carrying around 27k. We were weighed with portable scales on the side of the road. The ticket doesnt list our weight, that section is blank. He didnt tell our driver our weight. Two days later I registered and got the apportioned plates.

Does anyone know:

1. How is this fine calculated?
2. What angle should I use to fight it to be reduced or dropped? I was going to bring the paperwork showing we corrected it 2 days later. Is there anything I’m missing?

Thank you

 

Based on the information that you have provided, and the number of variables in the case, i would suggest that you speak with an attorney who specializes in Pennsylvania traffic law for the best outcome.

 

fine sounds like the annual cost of IRP registration in PA, maybe with some court costs.

 

What other information can i provide? Thanks

 

When I registered in NY it came out to $470

 

When NJ joined the IRP. their base license was around $1100.00 and back when you had to pick the states and estimate the miles NJ used to tell everyone to put 90% of the miles as NJ and split the remaining 10% among the states you picked even had a sheet with the shortest mileage across all the other states, both east to west and north to south. to help you guesstimate things.

That way NJ received most of their base license cost $470 sounds a little low for NY's apportioned price.

 

Other than "throwing yourself on the mercy of the court" I dont see anything to fight. Showing the court that you fixed it 2 days later only proves that you didnt have it 2 days earlier. Good luck!

 

A guilty plea could have serious consequences. If they audit you after your guilty plea. Hey could pull your records for the last 6 months or more and fine you for each trip that was out of state.

 

We had the same thing happen in Florida. We were not a trucking company and hauled are own vehicles that we built for retail sale, and we did not want to get a apportioned plate as we also use the truck for errands and parts runs and did not need all the different drivers trying to keep up with miles everytime they drive it. like you, we had the 34,000 lb tag in NC but plate was not apportioned. Scale on 95 got us and we weighed out at 28000.

In Florida they bumped us back to 10,000 lb plate because we were told thats what they would only recognize and fined for 18,000 lb overweight. Fine was about $1,300. Your fine may have been based on the same thing and every state is different in how much a pound they fine you for overweight.

We filed a formal appeal with FL and produced evidence of the 34000 plate and IFTA that was all valid. Took about 3 months and of course we lost. They stick with the letter of the law.

Try and find a PA based traffic lawyer and good luck. I am guessing you will need it to get anywhere with it.

 

In Pennsylvania, apportioned registration is required for any vehicle combination 3 axles or more over 26k.